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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: A Brand New 100 Watt HF Transceiver For 400.00 ???
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on: May 13, 2013, 11:26:43 PM
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<snip> The Japs basically... <snip> I say "Let The Japs sweat for awhile"<snip> IMHO, The Japs need some competition... <snip> Really? What is this, freakin' WWII? I thought the thread was about a new Chinese HF rig, not a one man attempt to put the Japanese people back 50 plus years. Considering how much I've truly enjoyed owning many Kenwood and Icom radios over the years, I certainly don't feel as if I have been "ripped off" by any race or nationality. I doubt anyone forced you to buy anything either Thank goodness you didn't start referring to the new radio using Chinese racial slurs as well. How offensive. Don N4TTS Japan builds a good product but as their standard of living has gone up a lot so have labor prices opening door to China. China can put a man in space and bring him back and will someday put a man on moon too. I think they can build a good radio if they want too. Agreed! I want to buy and try one of these Chinese HF Transceivers. Any ideas how to do it anyone ? |
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: A Brand New 100 Watt HF Transceiver For 400.00 ???
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on: May 13, 2013, 02:18:14 PM
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The revenue generated/lost from ham radio sales is a statistically insignificant blip to the economy.
However,
imported cars, your shoes,your tools,your car parts,your clothes, your kids coloring markers, your kinds toys,
or your patio furniture times the number of people buing this stuff is another matter entirely.
My point exactly. The Japs basically put American Ham Radio Manufacturers out of business. Please, no "weeping" if the Chinese do it to them. IMHO, The Japanese have literally been ripping us off for years, with radios that cost far far more, then they should. I say "Let The Japs sweat for awhile", just like the Koreans are making them sweat in the Auto Industry. My other hobby is Stereo Equipment. I can buy a state of the art stereo receiver, with 9 built in 150 wpc Amplifiers, Dolby this and that, as well as Audyssey and THX for well under a grand! It weighs near 60 lbs! Plus, the makers of this Japanese receiver must also pay licensing fee's to Dolby, THX, etc, etc. Now, you tell me WHY a Yaesu 9000 costs as much as it does ? Where is "The Beef" ? IMHO, The Japs need some competition, and hopefully, it will drive down the prices all us Hams pay for our Rigs ? |
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: NEW from Yaesu: FTdx-1200 [160-6 meters @ 100w]
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on: May 13, 2013, 08:54:23 AM
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I have used both and the 3k is a better transceiver all around (+ and - for both but all around is better) but also costs significantly more. If the 1.2k unit comes down to the 590 price and measures the same performance of the 3k with just reduce features, then I would say this could be a 590 competitor maybe even a killer. I see some left outs on the 1.2k which in my mind may hinder its competitiveness feature for feature (how could they not include USB on this radio in this day in age!!!). Don't think Kenwood have anything to worry about with the TS590 yet.
That is a Deal Breaker, for me! How freaking stoopid of Yaesu ! |
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: A Brand New 100 Watt HF Transceiver For 400.00 ???
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on: May 13, 2013, 08:27:20 AM
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The first units of the Baofeng radios did not fulfill the FCC requirements. One needs to be careful.
Yeah, this thing will work on 11 meters, right out of the box I guess, so there goes "FCC type acceptance". I kind of like the idea of the Chinese starting to make radios. Competition is always a good thing, for us consumers. Its a shame that the never put CB up around 31 or 32 mhz, above HF bands, from day one. That would have "intruded" into FM Business Radio Low Band I suppose ? This Chinese HF Transceiver has got me curious. I just found this on Google about it. Unfortunately it is real.... I say unfortunately because for one it will work on 11m from the factory, and two because its such a gray area radio, it transmit anywhere and so how do you license it such and such. A Canadian ham posted this info about it on a forum i frequent, supposedly there is someone selling them as marine HF radios up there. Factory Price 410 USD - Minimum Order 1 Piece (comes unlocked for 11m) Dual mode: shortwave and ultra-shortwave Dual channels to receive signals, Distress call, selective cass, group call and all call, Display anti-collision alarm, Large LCD. Specifications: Frequency range: Rx 0.5-29.999999MHz Tx 1.6-29.999999MHz Mode: USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM Memory channels: 100 Power supply: 13.8V DC(¡À15%) Current drain (at 13.8V): Receive Standby 1.4A Transmit Max. power 25A Operable temp. range: -10¡æ - +60¡æ; 14¨H - 140¨H Dimension(WxHxD): 240x200x65mm Weight: 4kg Reciever: Reveive system: Double-conversion superheterodyne system Sensitivity(12dB SINAD): 0.5-1.5999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY¡Ü1uV , AM¡Ü10uV 1.6-29.9999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY¡Ü0.5uV, AM¡Ü2uV Squelch sensitivity(threshhold): SSB, CW, RTTY Less than 5.6uV Selectivity: SSB, CW, RTTY: More than 2.1 KHz/-6dB, Less than 4.5 KHz/-60dB AM: More than 6 KHz/-6dB, Less than 20 KHz/-40dB Spurious and image rejection ratio: More than 70dB(1.6-29.9999MHz) RIT variable range: ¡À150Hz Audio output power(at 13.8V DC): More than 2.0W at 10% distortion with an 8¦¸ load Transmitter: Ourput power: SSB 100W AM 40W Modulation system: SSB Balanced modulation AM Low level modulation Spurious emissions: Less than -50dB Below peak output power Carrier suppression: More than 40dB Unwanted sideband: More than 50dB |
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: A Brand New 100 Watt HF Transceiver For 400.00 ???
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on: May 13, 2013, 07:07:21 AM
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The first units of the Baofeng radios did not fulfill the FCC requirements. One needs to be careful.
Yeah, this thing will work on 11 meters, right out of the box I guess, so there goes "FCC type acceptance". I kind of like the idea of the Chinese starting to make radios. Competition is always a good thing, for us consumers. |
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eHam Forums / Good Seller / Buyer Beware / RE: W8AMZ - Pathetic Service
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on: May 11, 2013, 07:59:45 PM
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Sorry you're having issues with this vendor. I can only report my experience which was very positive. Last Year ordered an antenna through the W8AMZ eBay store and received the antenna via US Mail in three days. Absolutely no complaints here.
I have ordered from W8AMZ twice, once off of Ebay, got the antenna in 4 days, then once when I need a custom (40 and 80 meter fan dipole). It had to be made special for me, and I had it in 14 days! |
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Hexbeam on pushup pole setups
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on: May 09, 2013, 11:02:59 PM
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Looking for advise and possible photos of Hexbeam on pushup pole setups. I'm trying to gather as much info as I can before I start making purchases. I have a Channel-Master CM-40 pole already, and looking into purchasing the Yaesu G-450A rotor & Hexbeam. The pole will be anchored to house foundation, and secured at two places on side of house, then again at peak of roof eave. I've been unsuccessful in local Elmer assistance, so I'm reaching out to you all for advice & direction. This install may end up being a one man show with a little help from my Son.
Thank you!
If you have not purchased your Hex Beam yet, IMHO the best Hex Beams are the ones designed by Steve Hunt G3TXQ. The K4KIO Hex Beam is based on this design. But so is the NA4RR Hex Beam, but it costs 200.00 LESS, and includes 6 meters, at no additional charge ! I hope this helps you not spend more money then you need to, for a Hex Beam. |
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Mosley Mini-33-WARC vs. Cushcraft MA5B - Any opinions from the experienced?
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on: April 30, 2013, 05:13:59 PM
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Of course... I always use a current balun on my feed line due to how close my antenna is to my shack. Speaking of feedline radiation, you DO have a choke on the TGM MQ 26, right ?
You know you can wind one out of coaxial cable, if you don't have one.
I bought an MFJ Current Sniffer, a cool little tool actually.
You can use it to make sure a vertical is seeing it's ground, or see if there is RF, on your feedline.
I once had an old Hy Gain TH 3 Tribander, the Balun looked bad, so I just threw it away, and used the antenna w/o one. Then, I told an old timer what I did, and he gave me a new balun he had lying around for a Hy Gain Beam, for free! I was amazed at the difference in rejection I got, just by the addition of the balun. |
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Mosley Mini-33-WARC vs. Cushcraft MA5B - Any opinions from the experienced?
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on: April 29, 2013, 08:08:25 AM
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Well.... It is what it is... Works better than my fan dipole and my end fed, I guess those were/are worse dummy loads. Maybe next year I will upgrade again to something else that finally wont be a dummy load..
Did you see that N6BT Q 52 antenna Mike ? Tom Schiller, who was the designer behind all the Force 12 Antennas formed a new company, and is selling that small antenna. I have a friend who is space challenged, and we were looking at that antenna, but the guy never answered any emails. He finally put up a used Cush Craft R 5 vertical he bought for 100.00 at a local Ham Fest. He is "tickled pink" with the Cush Craft R 5 Vertical, and talks all over on it. |
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Mosley Mini-33-WARC vs. Cushcraft MA5B - Any opinions from the experienced?
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on: April 28, 2013, 08:49:32 PM
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I would admit that I could have spent the time to tune the fan dipole but honestly it would have not made much difference.. Similar to my MQ26, tuning or not tuning.... As long as the antenna is resonant within the band I am in it wont make much of a difference hearing when tuned with a tuner... Your grasping for straws to make a point which in my opinion is mute.. Unless your sitting here in front of my rig you cant say what works, what doesnt, how well it should, blah blah blah... I can only tell you what my experience is.. If you dont believe me then turn to another thread, hang out on 313, or what ever.  It was... A fan dipole 10 - 20 meter... I think I can... Thanks for stating the obvious.... thats why I included comparisons to a wire dipole at a similar height...I did consider the other two until I stumbled upon the MQ - I was leaning towards the Mini 33 until I read about the difference between the loading systems ... then it was between the MA5B and the MQ... I believed both the MA5B and the MQ would have similar performance on 20 but better on 17 meters and higher, thus went with the MQ. I doubt Tom was aware of the thread... Honestly another major reason I didnt go with the MA5B is due to poor past experience with MFJ.... So quality of the product and customer service in my opinion is 1/2 the value of any product. I dont have time or patience to deal with issues and poor service. The End Fed is about as high as the Antenna at the base (about 4 feet below it) and the top goes to about 40 feet up across my yard (its End Fed resonant on 40 and 20 as its a about a 1/2 wave on 40 and full wave on 20 with a tuning stub - No tuner needed for either band - about 200k bandwidth below 2:1 on 40 and less than 1.5 for entire 20). I doubt there is an interaction, at least my analyzer tells me so - and nothing has changed since putting up the beam for the end fed. I have since taken down the wire dipole as it didnt add any value other than clutter my yard... It was about 4 feet below the beam before I took it down perpendicular to the end fed... the dipole required a tuner similar to the mini beam. Since the dipole and end fed I have had for about a year it was easy for me to compare between the 3. I know you probably had hopped that the mini beam didnt work out... but for me I had pretty low expectations - In other works as good as my dipole, better than my end fed (because thats what I saw in general in comparison to my wire dipole)... I find its slightly better than my dipole in receive, much better in noise and will probably never use my end fed for 20m now.. It pretty much meets what it advertises... I dont know what you expected? Worse than the wire dipole? If that was the case I would have ripped that sucker off my roof and bought a different antenna - probably the MA5B next then the Mini 33 if that didnt work out! BUT it did meet my expectations, I was able to get some directivity (albeit, not very much but .5 - 2s points helps on 20), nice nulls off the side which helps with the power lines north of me, I can get it now 4 feet higher at or above the 1/2 wave for 20m, I have about 4 -6s points higher on 15 - 10m over the wire dipole, did I say how much improved the S/N is?, and looks like a TV antenna.... Not really sure what the point of your response was? AND just realized I spent 10 minutes of my life typing this out... ! Anyway... Will post some pics later on.. Wanted give you all an update - I finished up the tuning... Raised it to about 33 feet ag. I needed to lengthen on 20, 17 and 15 meters tuning rods from default settings. It was relatively easy since each band didnt have much of an effect on the other bands... All prescribed bands get a 1:1 - 1:5 match with a tuner. At the center point of resonance it tunes (with no tuner) to a 1:1 - 1:3 on all bands. On 20 meters its about 90 - 100k of below 2:1, on the other bands its just about the entire band you are below 2:1.
The antenna is SIGNIFICANTLY quieter over my previous wire dipole and End Fed. I would say 2S over my wire dipole and 2-4s points over my end fed.
Generally the beams signal strength is 0 - 2s over my wire dipole and 0 - 3s over my end fed... Keep in mind its 2 - 3s quieter all the time over my other antennas... stations that I can not pull out on my end fed are crystal clear on the beam. On the wire dipole I can copy them but with difficulty...
Example, this morning I could not make out a station in puerto rico on my end fed at all... On my wire dipole i could hear him but could not copy him... On the beam I could copy him with no issues (he was 5/3!)... even though its a small difference over my wire dipole it was the difference of copying him or not...
One other positive - Stage 1 of getting the XYL to accept any antenna on the roof is complete "Wow not that bad... looks like a TV antenna" This is only stage 1...
Stage 2 comes in time for a bigger better antenna Muahahahah! It really does look like a TV antenna! Whats stage 2? Not sure - I really want that hex beam, but I suspect that will need to be a stage 3 or 4... Maybe a full size 2 element beam (still has more gain over the mini beam)... OR maybe just get the antenna higher (with a tripod on the roof or something)... time will tell..
So... All objectives met with little disappointment... And as another positive, Tom was amazing on assisting on just about everything; he responded within 24 hours on all emails... Very high quality parts no quality issues at all!
Unless your end fed is at the same height, and is a dipole on the bands you are comparing it to your antenna, comparisons are well meaning, but meaningless. I am not accusing you of being a shill, but this is almost a perfect Shill Thread ! The title of it lists the 2 major competitors to the antenna you say you purchased! Thus, anyone considering the proven Cush Craft MA 5B or Mosley Mini 33 WARC will probably read this thread, and be made aware of that antenna you say you purchased. Then, you say "And as another positive, Tom was amazing on assisting on just about everything; he responded within 24 hours on all emails... Very high quality parts no quality issues at all!" LOL, I will BET he was I am sure he is aware of this thread, at the very least, EH ? Could you please take some pictures of your antenna installation, and also some pics of the End Fed Antenna in relation to your antenna. Try to show both antennas in the same picture, so we can see if there is any interaction taking place. Any antenna cut to be 1/2 wave on 40 meters, will display slight gain, and very deep Nulls, when used on bands higher then 40 meters. Thus, it is not possible to compare your new antenna with it on 10,15, and 20 meters. You can not compare your antenna to a dipole at a similar height, unless your dipole was a multi band dipole, cut for all the bands your antenna covers. I mean you CAN compare (it is a free country), however, unless you compare your antennas performance on let's say 15 meters, vs a full size 15 meter dipole, at or near the same height, you can not say it "performs as good as a dipole". No, you can't really compare, because your "Fan Dipole" required a tuner! Suddenly your wire dipole is now being called a "fan dipole". You can call it whatever you want, but I have news for you, Fan Dipoles do not REQUIRE Tuners, especially ones for 20 through 10 meters! Here are your own words " I have since taken down the wire dipole as it didnt add any value other than clutter my yard... It was about 4 feet below the beam before I took it down perpendicular to the end fed... the dipole required a tuner similar to the mini beam. Since the dipole and end fed I have had for about a year it was easy for me to compare between the 3." You talk about having an MFJ Analyzer (you used on on the MW 26), yet why did you not try to tune your "fan dipole" with it, since you had it for a full year ? And, if your "fan dipole" required a tuner, it was not a working Fan Dipole array, thus the supposed "comparison" you made to the MQ 26 is about as useful as balls on a priest. No where, in pages of this thread, have you called your wire dipole a Fan Dipole array, until now! What's up, with that  I remember very well your antenna, it was once called the Hybrid Products Company Mini Quad, before TGM bought out the design, and named it the MQ 26. TGM has made some changes, that have made the tuning easier to do. It was a nightmare to tune before, as one band greatly influenced the other. Regardless of the changes TGM has made, or how "nice a guy" Tom is (whatever that has to do with anything), the laws of Physics can not be changed. It is quite simply, much too small to have little, if any gain, over a dipole. So, when you come here to EHAM, and start making claims of even 1 to 2 S Units difference (6 to 12 db) between your little TGM 26 POS Glorified Dummy Load Antenna, and a "reference dipole", please do not "freak out" when your claims are challenged. It is NOT "personal" Mike  Hell, the other day, someone said to me "Chris, your Kenwood TS 850 S WAS a great radio, in it's day, but it is a POS now, by today's standards" I think your TGM MQ 26 is a POS, and little more then a glorified, expensive, rotating dummy load, with less gain then a dipole. In fact, there is a review here on EHam where the Ham had a TGM MQ 26, then put a Cobbweb antenna in it's place. The Cobbweb Antenna is an array of 1/2 wave dipoles that have been folded, into a square that is 1/8 wave per side. Not surprisingly to me, this Ham reports vastly better performance for the Cobbweb Antenna, vs the TGM MQ 26. |
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